God Sees the Truth, But Waits Flashcards
by Leo Tolstoy — tap or click to flip
Flashcard Review
Flashcards: God Sees the Truth, But Waits
What is Aksionov's occupation and where does he live at the start of the story?
He is a young merchant who owns two shops and a house in the town of Vladimir.
What warning does Aksionov's wife give him before he leaves for the fair?
She tells him not to travel that day because she dreamt he returned from town with hair that had turned completely grey.
What crime is Aksionov accused of committing?
He is accused of murdering a fellow merchant from Ryazan by cutting his throat and stealing twenty thousand rubles.
What piece of evidence is found in Aksionov's luggage?
A blood-stained knife is discovered in his bag by the police officer, though Aksionov insists it is not his.
How does Aksionov's wife react when she visits him in prison?
She faints upon seeing him in prison dress and chains, and after recovering, she asks him if he actually committed the crime -- which devastates him.
What sentence does Aksionov receive for the murder?
He is flogged with a knout and then sent to the mines in Siberia as a convict.
How does Aksionov discover that Makar Semyonich is the real killer?
Makar's evasive reactions, his surprise at meeting Aksionov, and his comment that only the bag's owner could be guilty convince Aksionov that Makar planted the knife.
What does Aksionov tell the Governor when asked who dug the escape tunnel?
He refuses to identify anyone, saying "It is not God's will that I should tell," thereby protecting Makar Semyonich.
How does the story end for Aksionov?
Makar confesses his guilt and an order for Aksionov's release is issued, but Aksionov has already died before it arrives.
How does Aksionov change physically and emotionally during his 26 years in Siberia?
His hair turns white, his beard grows long and grey, he stops laughing, walks slowly, speaks little, and devotes himself entirely to prayer.
Why do the other prisoners call Aksionov "Grandfather" and "The Saint"?
They respect him for his meekness and fairness; he serves as their spokesman to authorities and settles disputes among them.
What clue in Makar Semyonich's behavior reveals his connection to the old crime?
He reacts with exaggerated surprise upon hearing Aksionov's story, slapping his knee and exclaiming "Really wonderful!" while refusing to explain how he recognized Aksionov.
What does Makar Semyonich confess to Aksionov in the final nighttime scene?
He admits he killed the merchant, hid the knife in Aksionov's bag, and had intended to kill Aksionov too but fled when he heard a noise.
What is the significance of Aksionov's wife asking him whether he committed the crime?
It represents the ultimate betrayal of trust -- even his own wife doubts his innocence, leaving him to conclude that only God can know the truth.
How does the theme of forgiveness reach its climax in the story?
Aksionov forgives the man who destroyed his life, saying "God will forgive you! Maybe I am a hundred times worse than you," which brings him inner peace.
What does the title "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" suggest about divine justice?
It suggests that God knows who is guilty and innocent but allows events to unfold in their own time, testing human faith and capacity for forgiveness.
How does Aksionov's suffering transform his relationship with faith?
He abandons all earthly appeals and petitions, placing his trust entirely in God -- a surrender that ultimately leads to his spiritual peace and moral authority among prisoners.
Why does Aksionov no longer wish to leave the prison after forgiving Makar?
Forgiveness releases him from bitterness and longing; with his wife dead and children grown, he finds peace and only hopes for death, having achieved spiritual freedom.
How does the wife's dream about Aksionov's grey hair function as foreshadowing?
It predicts the decades of suffering that will prematurely age him -- his hair literally turns white during his 26 years of wrongful imprisonment in Siberia.
What is ironic about the timing of Aksionov's release order?
After 26 years of wrongful imprisonment, the order for his freedom arrives only after he has already died -- justice comes too late in earthly terms.
How does Tolstoy use the parable form in this story?
The simple, direct narrative style and clear moral lesson about forgiveness and divine justice follow the structure of a biblical parable rather than a psychologically complex novel.
What does The Lives of the Saints symbolize in the story?
The book represents Aksionov's complete spiritual transformation -- he identifies with saints who endured suffering patiently, mirroring his own path from merchant to martyrlike figure.
What is a samovar, as mentioned when Aksionov stops at the inn?
A traditional Russian metal urn used for heating water to make tea, common in Russian households and inns of the period.
What is a troika, which arrives carrying the police officer?
A traditional Russian carriage or sleigh drawn by three horses abreast, often associated with officials or people of importance.
What is a knout, the instrument used to flog Aksionov?
A heavy leather whip used in Russia for judicial punishment, known for inflicting severe wounds on the recipient.
What is the significance of Aksionov saying "you killed me long ago" to Makar Semyonich?
He means Makar destroyed his life 26 years earlier by framing him -- his old self, his family, and his happiness were all killed, even though he physically survived.
What does Aksionov mean when he says "It seems that only God can know the truth"?
After even his wife doubts his innocence, he realizes no human institution or relationship can establish truth -- only God truly knows, and only God can deliver justice.
Why does Makar Semyonich say "When they flogged me with the knot it was not so hard to bear as it is to see you now"?
Seeing the man whose life he destroyed -- aged, broken, yet merciful -- torments his conscience more than any physical punishment he has endured.